Towards a New Type of Linkage? Mainstream Left-Wing Parties and Trade Unions in Southern Europe from a Comparative Perspective

It is widely agreed that there is a growing weakening of relations between left-wing parties and trade unions (Kirchheimer 1966; Katz & Mair 1995). Structural changes in the economy and labour market, as well as competitive pressures from the electoral arena, have weakened organizational ties between mainstream left parties and its traditional allies. In the Southern European context, empirical research suggests that socialist parties have established different kinds of linkage with trade unions and have displayed distinct trajectories over time (Morlino 1998; Thomas 2001). Yet the recent economic crisis may facilitate a strategic re¬orientation of the linkage between left-wing parties and trade unions. Our main argument builds on the ?cartelization? literature (Katz & Mair 1995) and claims that the linkage between these collective actors has increased in terms of leadership overlap and ?insider strategy?, strengthening their ties within the institutional arena. To this end, we aim to examine not only organizational and programmatic ties, but also the links established between left-wing parties and trade unions at the institutional (parliamentary and governmental) level. This paper reports from an on-going comparative study of left party-trade union relationships in Southern Europe. Our empirical findings may shed more light on the strength/weakness of linkages today in new Southern European democracies (Greece, Spain and Portugal). In addition, our comparative research design may contribute to examining how party system characteristics ? particularly those related to the process of ?cartelization? ? have shaped this relationship vis-à-vis institutional or sociological.